Comments on: The Red Sox have designated A.J. Pierzynski for assignmenthttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/
Baseball. Baseball. And then a bit more baseball.Sun, 02 Aug 2015 23:04:02 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.com/By: unclemosesgreenhttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736645
Thu, 10 Jul 2014 12:57:06 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736645There’s no cure for your kind of stupid.
]]>By: 18thstreethttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736596
Thu, 10 Jul 2014 11:02:48 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736596Geez, Maz — isn’t it obvious I was joking? I mean, I didn’t want this signing the way the rest of Red Sox Nation apparently didn’t want Drew to return. But he’s obviously not uniquely to blame for the bad year.

I just don’t see the appeal. I didn’t understand why they wanted him. And having him actually play on the team didn’t clarify anything.

]]>By: mazblasthttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736564
Thu, 10 Jul 2014 04:12:08 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736564In 2012, without AJP, they were terrible.
In 2013, without AJP, they were excellent.
In 2014, with AJP, they’ve been terrible.

I don’t see the correlation there.

That said, this was probably the right move. AJ seems to be the kind of guy everyone puts up with when things are good. In the past he has been on a bunch of winning teams, but when things go sour, his personality really rubs people the wrong way and he’s the first one out the door.

Since he’ll be available for the major league minimum pro-rated for the rest of the year for whoever signs him, someone will take a chance on him. Dodgers, maybe?

]]>By: SocraticGadflyhttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736516
Thu, 10 Jul 2014 00:54:38 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736516And, I thought of a better yet refutation for @Lions. The original story linked here only mentioned the Cards by name, but other locations mentioned Braves and Brewers as showing interest, too.

Yes, Mozeliak could check with his Atlanta and Milwaukee counterparts to find if they’re really that interested in Peavy, and tentatively what their offers might be. Likewise, they could ask him.

Are those three GMs really going to put all their cards on the table like that? Er ….

I doubt it.

Enough to sell an oceanfront lot in Arizona, or a multimillion mansion in North St. Louis, on those odds.

]]>By: jwbiiihttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736508
Thu, 10 Jul 2014 00:05:15 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736508Ok, thumbs downers, time for a history lesson. The US inherited these things from English common law. That is correct. Did the the English invent these concepts?

No, they did not. They inherited them from the Normans, who were from northern France, and conquered southern England in the 11th century. Whether the Normans were from what we now call Denmark or what we now call Norway is a matter of dispute. Did the Normans invent these concepts?

No they did not. They conquered Sicily and Malta earlier in the 11th century from the Saracens, who were Muslims. They adopted what was good from the Saracen culture into their own (trial by jury: good; women not showing skin: bad), so these things are a product of Sharia law.

]]>By: SocraticGadflyhttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736505
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 23:59:37 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736505Err, no. I disagreed by saying that I can think of one GM off the top of my head who prolly would do that, by noting that agents can also spin (with or without GMs) and that this issue was broader than that.

For your info, the great Whitey Herzog, after he’d gone to the Angels, said GMs played along with agents’ spinning all the time, as long as it wasn’t ludicrous and agents weren’t “burning” GMs.

]]>By: rje49http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736492
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 23:22:36 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736492A.J. “is experiencing his worst season at the plate”. So are all the other Red Sox players. 3 guys starting last night with .100 something averages. Yes, time to man the lifeboats.
]]>By: historiophiliachttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736462
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 22:28:17 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736462I just did!
]]>By: historiophiliachttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736456
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 22:21:57 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736456What was that about?
]]>By: sabatimushttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736436
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 22:03:55 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736436She was on a show other than Night Court???
]]>By: jwbiiihttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736434
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 22:03:06 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736434Actually, we do have Sharia law, at least the parts that are acceptable. Trial by jury, law schools, accreditation of attorneys, etc. If you have a competent attorney, thank a Muslim.
]]>By: jwbiiihttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736429
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 21:54:55 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736429Wow. Markie Post? I did not remember that.
]]>By: drewzduckshttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736415
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 21:38:29 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736415We’ll defer to your expertise on being a big nobody.
]]>By: sophiethegreatdanehttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736411
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 21:35:28 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736411@drewz: awesome find!
]]>By: drewzduckshttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736402
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 21:31:43 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736402I must have missed where I said that they should’ve held on to him. Oh that’s right, I didn’t. Point is, they knew exactly what they were getting; a player whose plate”discipline” goes against everything the organization preaches and practices. And that’s not to mention his long list of documented “character flaws”. Some will make him out to be the poster child of what has gone wrong with the defending champs but I think that title belongs to Ben C. and his numerous miscalculations since November.
]]>By: sabatimushttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736400
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 21:29:23 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736400Seriously. David Ross hasn’t been what anyone would call an “everyday” catcher since he caught 112 games with Cincy in 2007. Salty on the other hand caught 103, 121, and 121 through 2013 with a lot of power. The Sox now don’t have a decent, proven everyday catcher.
]]>By: musicman1434http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736394
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 21:26:22 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736394And .202 is his highest batting average of his 5 year career.
]]>By: sabatimushttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736386
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 21:18:16 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736386I would never have signed him in the first place. His signing is pretty much alienating Bogaerts (which, admittedly, may be on Bogaerts’ ability or lack thereof to adapt). And Drew isn’t showing any signs at all of getting better. Even his throws from SS aren’t as sure as they were in the past. I can’t imagine anyone wanting Drew either at this point.

I’m not sure if Marrero is ready yet, having only been in PAW for 7 games. I think Middlebrooks should be DFAed. I seriously doubt he’ll put together a week or two of great hitting to have much value in trade.

I think the best situation would be to have Holt at third, Bogaerts at SS, and then figure out what the heck to do with the horrendously weak outfield: the team is going to need to trade good pitching to get something worth a damn back.

]]>By: 18thstreethttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736366
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 21:03:13 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736366Put yourself in the front office’s position. They thought Drew would be good. 82 plate appearances probably isn’t enough to shake them from that opinion. On the other hand, if they think Deven Marrero is ready to play shortstop, or if they want Middlebrooks to play third every day for the second half (to see what they have in him, once and for all), then Drew’s presence would block those things from happening.

Me? I never would have signed the guy. But put yourself in the position of a person who DID want to sign him. What would it take to change your opinion? 24 games? Probably not. I think he gets two weeks after the All-Star Break, and that’s it.

But if they can trade him, they will. I just can’t imagine who would want him.

Under the best case scenario, Vasquez and Swihart both have amazing careers. But that’s not what usually happens with prospects. It’s, like, a billion times more likely that at least one of them is a bust. And Salty for three years, $20 million doesn’t prevent you from doing other things. I just don’t get it.

]]>By: sabatimushttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736354
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 20:49:49 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736354Troll.
]]>By: sabatimushttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736353
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 20:49:03 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736353Oh wait. Lucchino is stubbornly clinging to his OPS+ 13 baby. Yep, THIRTEEN. Holy cow, even I thought it was at least 20 before I looked it up.
]]>By: t3288http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736351
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 20:48:28 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736351Don’t f..k with our town, so says Ortiz. You don’t even live here. Shovel some snow before you open your filthy mouth.
]]>By: sabatimushttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736350
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 20:47:24 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736350Now, if they can just DFA Drew…
]]>By: sabatimushttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736348
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 20:43:18 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736348I liked Pierzynski as a Red Sox catcher until I noticed that he does what he wants when he wants at the plate, regardless of hitting situation. There have been several instances when he’s struck out swinging at utter garbage from a wild pitcher, with men on base, instead of just taking pitches. I know that he’s a free swinger, but come on, does he think he’s Vlad Guerrero?
]]>By: yahmulehttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736344
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 20:37:51 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736344Hey, there’s a nice big Papi bashing thread going right now. Let’s get organized here.
]]>By: paperlionshttp://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/the-red-sox-have-designated-a-j-pierzynski-for-assignment/comment-page-1/#comment-736341
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 20:36:46 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=528779#comment-736341So, you disagreed and then wrote a bunch of stuff that doesn’t disagree with anything I said.

Rumors and such have no effect whatsoever on the interest of teams in trade target. Teams do not rely on the media to know whether or not players are available. As demonstrated in the Astros information leak, teams are regularly in contact regarding potential moves and availability.